Policies

Summary: we welcome the targets within the NRL proposal to restore and rewet drained peatlands and organic soils under agricultural use. Rather than being onerous the NRL is an opportunity to garner EU support for our existing national commitments. However, further clarification is needed on definitions and financing. We call on Irish leaders in the […]

This year’s Budget takes place under the backdrop of war in Europe, a lingering global pandemic, a cost of living crisis and of course the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis. Each of these issues present serious challenges to policy-makers, however, it should be acknowledged that underlying these challenges is the fact that we are living […]

Towards a New Agricultural and Food Policy for Ireland Recommendations for Government A Position Paper from the Environmental Pillar, the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and the Sustainable Water Network April 2021 “Agriculture is by far the most significant pressure on Ireland’s nature, water and air, and greenhouse gas emissions. There has been a long-standing failure […]

Please find the Environmental Pillar’s election manifesto to include our key policy proposals at the following link: https://goo.gl/Fx8EMV 

The Environmental Pillar calls on the government to incorporate the Polluter Pays Principle, as appropriate, into all aspects of taxation and spending. This will have the effect of This will have the effect of broadening the tax base whilst enabling the moving of taxation from income to levies on consumption whilst at the same time removing […]

This document, compiled by members of the Environmental Pillar and Stop Climate Chaos, draws on extensive policy and scientific evidence to challenge government and industry claims regarding the sustainability of Irish agriculture, in terms of its efficiency, its contribution to global food security, and its adequacy in climate mitigation. The document also highlights inadequacies in […]

The Environmental Pillar welcomes the opportunity to input into the draft National Mitigation Plan and looks forward to further input as the plan evolves. The Environmental Pillar strongly welcomes and supports the Ministers commitment to transition to a low carbon future. We anticipate that this will be implemented in a clear, directional robust national mitigation […]

In regard to the Draft NRP for Ireland, The Environmental Pillar highlight concerns raised around the failure to make Ireland’s tax system environmentally friendly and the lack of incorporation of environmental concerns into fiscal measures. In the last 4 years there has been almost no additional action to broaden the tax base in a manner that enhances […]

This document is a compilation of the headlines of all Environmental Pillar Policies to date. Each policy is linked to its source document. This document is intended to be updated periodically. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Consolidated-Policy-Document-Environmental-Pillar-July-2015.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo” icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This […]

Ireland is facing an uncertain future in respect to its antiquated and dilapidated water services infrastructure. Much of our water and wastewater infrastructure dates back to the Victorian age with many aging and leaky water and sewerage pipes in addition to many of our inadequate drinking water and waste water treatment plants. This legacy leaves […]

The Environmental Pillar made a submission on the draft Framework Policy for Community Development. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Submission-of-the-Environmental-Pillar-on-the-Draft-Framework-Policy-for-Local-and-Community-Development.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo”  icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only show up if you have decided to show a popover.”] Click here to view […]

Follow the link below for the Environmental Pillar’s Policy on Community Energy. Environmental Pillar Community Energy Policy March 2015

The Environmental Pillar calls on the Irish Government to actively seek the completion of the EU Legally Binding Agreement on Forests (LBA). Sustainably managed natural and semi-natural forests are an infinitely renewable resource and deserve to be granted the highest priority in this LBA. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-Statement-on-an-EU-Legally-Binding-Agreement-on-Forestry.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, […]

The Environmental Pillar made a submission to the public consultation on Investing in our Transport Future – A Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-Submission-to-the-Public-Consultation-on-Investing-in-our-transport-future-1.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo”  icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only show up if […]

The Environmental Pillar made a substantive submission on the SEA for the draft Forestry Programme 2014 to 2020. In it a number of issues were raised including: climate change impacts, lack of support for agroforestry, native woodland conservation, biodiversity, water protection and other management measures. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-submission-on-draft-forestry-programme-2014-2020.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, […]

The Environmental Pillar welcomed the opportunity to comment on the European Commission’s Communication on Fishing Opportunities for 2015. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-Response-to-the-Commissions-Consultation-on-Fisheries-Opportunities-2015.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only show up if you have decided to show a popover.”] Click […]

The Environmental Pillar made a summary submission on the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 calling on the government to back a number of initiatives designed to boost jobs sustainably. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-Submission-to-the-Public-Consultation-on-Investing-in-our-transport-future-1.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo”  icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only […]

The Draft National Risk Assessment has an explicit goal of ensuring that Ireland’s terrible reversal of fortune never recurs. In this context the Environmental Pillar would like to highlight the gaps in the risk assessment in terms of biodiversity, health, agriculture, forestry, and the greening of the economy. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-submission-on-the-National-Risk-Assessment-2014.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” […]

 The Environmental Pillar Policy on the TTIP CETA and TISA June 2014 The Environmental Pillardenounces the lack of transparency of the negotiations, the lack of democratic participation in the development of the negotiation mandate and the lack of democratic control over the negotiations regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) […]

The Environment Pillar is calling for urgent action to protect and restore marine habitats and biota including fish stocks around Ireland.  The Environmental Pillar welcomes the Marine Strategy Framework Directive as one of the key means to achieve this and urges that full timely implementation is now prioritised by government and stakeholders. The Directive provides […]

Abstract The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 includes a commitment to produce a Green Economy Plan during the third quarter of 2012. This paper asserts that all policy oriented towards the creation of employment should be in the context of a green economy. It offers working definitions for a green economy, and for green jobs, […]

This document is a compilation of the headlines of all Environmental Pillar Policies to date. Each policy is linked to its source document. This document is intended to be updated periodically. This version of the Consolidated Policy Document is up to date as of November 2012. Environmental Pillar Consolidated Policy Document Nov 2012 (Pub Date […]

Click here to download the Environmental Pillar’s Policy Statement on Genetically Modified Crops in Ireland March 2013 (Posted on March 4, 2013) 4 March 2013: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental groups, today called upon the Government to place a 5-year moratorium on the growing of any genetically modified (GM) crops in […]

The Environmental Pillar has added its weight to the growing push for a Site Value Tax in Ireland. Today (18 October) it released a policy on Site Value Tax, outlining the social, economic and environmental benefits that would be delivered by its implementation. A Site Value Tax is a tax on the unimproved value of […]